Sausage linking and hanging machine



`lune 12, 1923.

o. c, I.. HIRsCH SAUSAGE LINKING AND HANGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 .P R O R O Ni Q w m 4 m I o IMWIIII ..I III I Im n ,L su In m mm III @A I M ...v I V ,IMWIAJZ .I .IJI Irl; IJ LIlII.. 04 I MMUIIMIIIHIIJJIIIIIIWIL. III| IIWH III I III +1 III II 4. I d Q if I I. rIIPLL l III. TI l L JW h .L IL l G uw I II M Nw wn IIIIIII .IIII ll. vf" I IIIIIIIIII I.- I\w mk l f I I II I L., n l w R m O N Q AIA# v I .am N

June l2, 1923. 1,458,653

O. C. L. HIRSCH sAUsAGE LINKING AND HANGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 ouaoLmRsoH. 1m/Ewan. u

June l2, 1923. 1,458,653 O. C.- L. HIRSCH SAUSAGE LINKING AND HANGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 'June 12, 1923.l 1,458,653

, O. C. L. HIRSCH SAUSAGE LINKING AND HANGING MACHINE V Filed Dec. 9. 1920 4 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FLA.

LLO C.L. HIRSCH. INVENTOR June 12, 1923. 1,458,653

' O. C. L. HIRSCH SAUSAGE LINKING AND HANGING MACHINE Filed DeC. 9, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oli/O QL. HIRSCH INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEYS.

June 1'2, 1923.` u 1,458,653y

. O. C. L. HIRSCH sAUsAGE LINKING AND HANGING MACHINE Filed Dejo. 9, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 79 omo @.L. mason. mvENToR ATTORNEYS June '12', 1923. 1,458,653

C L. HIRSCH O. I SAUSAGE LINKING AND HANGING MACHINE Filed Deo. 9. 1920y l 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEYS' Patented .lune 12,1923.

"nairansriiras ParrN'r oFricE.

C. li HIRSCH, Ol' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, BSIGNOR TO SAUSAGE LINKING HACHINI WBPOBATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION l' ILLINOIS.

SA'IJ'SAG'EV LINKIN@ AND HANGING MACHINE.

.emanata and recenter s, 1920. 'serial n. saam.

To all 'whom tmayconcenu Be it known that I, Orro C. L. Hmscn, a subject of Germany, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented ,a new and useful Improvement in Sausage Linking and Hanging Machines, -ef which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

rlhis invention relates to sausage linking and hanging machines and more articularly to a machine for receiving fil ed casings from a filling machine, separating the meat in the casing into sections as desired, twisting one section relatively to the others and hanging the sausages thus formed across a stock or rod for smoking the same.

llt is a purpose of the invention to provide -a machine of the above-character wherein the means for separatin the meat in the casing comprises pairs or Hexihle' members that gradually approach each other to separate the meat in the casing without any posl sibility of injuring the casing.

It is another purpose of the invention to provide a linking mechanism for receiving the casing with its separated meat sections from vthe feeding mechanism, and twisting one of said sections relatively to the two adjacent sections which are held against turning., said casing, with the separated sections 'being loosely held in the twisting mechanism so that the section that is being twisted is being rotated around in the arc et a circle, so as to simulate the hand twisting operation as ordinarily performed.

It is a still further object ot the inventionv to provide a meat separating or squeezing mechanism and a linking mechanism through which the casing is carried on conveyors comprisin linked sections, wherein the sections of t e conveyor associated with the squeezing mechanism are longer than the A515 sections of the conveyor associated with the mechanism whereby the .caslng is` linkin carrie in the linking mechanism conveyor in a hanging or slack condition thus allowing for the decrease in length thereof when twisting takes place, and preventing tearing of the same.

It is another Qpurpose of the invention to provide new an improved means for feed 'ing the sausage carrying sticks to a machine of this character.

Other. objects and advantages of the in-Y skilled in this art and as would fall within l the scope of the claims.

In the drawin f Fig. l. is a si e elevation, partly broken away,l ofmy improved sausage linking and hanging machine;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the squeezing or meat separatin mechanism showing the relation of the twlsting mechanism thereto, looking from the left 'of Fig. 1;

1F ig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the swinging conveyor associated with the mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of one type of means for carrying the smoking or sausage hangingsticks;

Fi 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 showing sausages in place onone of the sticks;

Fig. 7 is a lain view of the chain conveyor for the stlcks shown at the left of Fig. 5;

Y Fig. 8 is anend elevation of the ,structure shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the hanging apparatus; D

Fig. 10 is a plan view thereof;

.l Fig. 11 is an end view of the twisting carria e; f

. ig. 12 is a transverse sectional view of the twisting mechanism; Fig. 13 is an end view of the sansa hanging holding carrier with the end plate remove Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view of the chain connecting the carriages;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the stick holder and associated feeding mechanism;

Fig. 18 is a detail section showing the star wheels `for feeding the sticks to the stick conveyor;

Fig. 19 1s an elevation of the actuating mechanism forthe stick feeding means;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary detail lan view of the lower part of the stick hol er showing the feeding means;

Fig. 21 is a detail plan view of the guides for the squeezing sausage separating iingers;

Fig. 22 is an inside elevation of one of, the halves of the twisting carrier;

Fig. 23 is an end view of one of the supporting .carriers alternating with the twistmg carriers.

efer-ring 1n detail to the drawings, the improved sausage linking and hanging machine comprises the framework 30 upon which is supported the means for conveying the lilled casing to the meat separating and linking mechanism, this means comprising an endless carrier made up of similar sections 31 linked together and vhaving projections 32 at the joints thereof engaging with the recesses 33 in thesprocket 34 suitably journaled in the framework 3() and the recesses 35 in the sprocket 36 also journaled in the framework 30.

The sections form a linked conveyor that follows an oblong path and each of the sections is provided with a U-shaped casing supporting member 37 which is preferably made of sheet metal and is formed as shown in Fig. 2. One of the shafts 38 carrying one of the sprockets 36, has keyed thereto the gear 39 which meshes with the gear 40 on the shaft 41. Keyed on the shaft 41 is one of the sprockets 42 provided with the peripheral recesses 43 with which the projections 44 on the link members 45 of the link carrier for the meat separating members coopcrate to drive the linked member, the above mentioned gearing being driven by suitable means which is not shown.

The means for separating the meat in the casing into sections comprises pairs of fingers 46, there being one pair mounted on each section of the linked carrier embodying the links 45, the fingers 4 6 being pivoted to cross member 47 of the sections as at 48 and are normally held in separated positionby means of the spring 49 mounted on the rod 50 which rod is pivoted to one of the fingers 46 and is slidable through an opening in the other thereof. The fingers 46 are each vprovided with suitable exible engaging por- 'tions at the ends thereof which are preferably in the form of rubber ytubes 51.

It will be seen on reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 that, due to the gearing connecting the two link conveyors com risin the links 31 and the links 45, that t e l' alwa s assume the same relative position to the nks 31 as they move adjacent each other, the iingers 46 assuming a position between adjacent U-shaped members 37 as will be clear from Fig. 1.

When the fin rs 46 are in position betu een a pair o the U-shaped elements 37, one fin er will be on each side of the casing which as been previously filled with meat and these fingers are adapted to move toward each other so as to compress the portion 'of the casin located between them so as to separate t e meat'contained in the casing into sections. The fingers 46 are dually brought towardeach other by suitale ide mem ers 52 which are provided wit the curved end portions 53 and which gradually approach each other and finally assume a parallel position at 54 so that as the outer sides of the fingers 46 engage therewith and slide along the same, they will gradually appreach each othel so that the casing 55, re-

erring now to Fig. 21 in which the casing is traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow, is gradually compressed therebetween at the points indicated by the numeral 56 until the meat in the cas' Ais separated into sections and the casing is rmly gripped by the rubbers or any other suitable flexible members 51 so that the casing will be' supported b the lingers 46 after reaching the point w ere the conveyor comprising the sections 31, turns downwardly and is carried by the conveyor comprising the links 45, to the twisting mechanism, the guides 52 extending to a point above the carriers of the endless conveyor embodied in the twisting mechanism and when the lingers 46 reach the ends of the guides 52, the springs 50 will immediately throw the fingers 46 apart as shown at the left of Fig. 21 and release the gripping members 51 from the casing 55.

The casing 55 will then drop into positionl in the carriers of the twisting mechanism.

The twisting mechanism conveyor comprises alternatm carriers 57 and 58, the carriers 57 serving merely to sup ort or hold alternate casing' sections and tqie carriers 58 being provided with suitable twisting mechanism which is to be described. The carriers 57 and 58 are each provided with link side members 59 and side plates 129 and are pivotally connected by means of pins 60 which are adapted to engage with the recesses 61 inthe s rockets 62 which are suitably journaled in t e framework 30 and are driven by suitable gearing which is not shown. The carriers 57 are provided with pockets which support the casing sections 55, said carriers having end members' 130 having V-shaped grooves 131, terminating in semi-circular recesses 132=and the carriers '58 are provided with twisting members 63 45' will which are journaledtherein to rotate about an axis extending parallel to -the direction of travel of the sectlons. Each of the members 63 is provided with suitable projections or teeth 64 on the exterior thereof and with a U-shaped recess 65 on-the interior thereof within which the casing 55 is adapted to rest. Each twisting member is also provided with end plates 133 having V-shaped grooves 134, terminating in semi-circular ref cesses 135, and connected together by the longitudinal braces 136.

1t will be seen from Fig. 23 that as the twisting mechanism turns relatively to the' carriers that the end plates 130 and 133 will assume various relative positions and that the V-shaped grooves will tend to support the narrowed twisted portions 56 of the sausages in such a way as to prevent untwisting of the same, the 'semi-circular rev cesses being provided to prevent cuttin of the casing at these points as the end p ates 133 rotate relatively to end plates 130.

In order to prevent the casing 55 from falling out of the recess 65 when the same is rotated, a pivoted holding finger 66 is provided thereon. The finger 66 is adaptedto assume either the dotted position shown in .Fig 13 or the full line position shown therein. The twisting members 63 are rotated by a suitable rotating means which is mounted in the frames 67 supported on the framework 30 which are shown in Figs. 12 and 22 A. and comprise two similar sections secured 'together by bolts 68. On the inner side of the frames 67 are mounted the rollers 69 on which are adapted to roll the rings 70 which are provided with internal teeth 71 which are in the form of long parallel bars as will be clear from Fig. 1. The teeth 71 are adapted to engage with the teeth 64 to rotate the twisting means. Mounted on one end of the bars 71 is the gear 72 which meshes with the gear 73 which is driven by the train of gearing comprising the beveled gears 74, 75 and 76, the gear 76 being mounted on theshaft 77 which is driven in any suitable manner from the driving mecha- 'nism of the machine.

After the carriers have passed through the cage-like member comprising the bars 71, the frames 67 and rings 70 and after passing over the sprocket 62, the holding fingers 66 are released to permit the sausages which have now been twisted into the proper linked form by the twisting mechanism just `described,..to be deposited upon the hanging mechanism. The means for opening and closing the holding lingersis shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15. In Fig. 14, the parts are shown in open positionjust as they are being moved to closed position. The linger 66 'has pivoted to the end thereof beyond the pivot point 7 8, the rod 79 which is adapted to engage at the lower end thereof with the manned guide so when in' the doma pgiber 79 is the leaf spring 83. The member 63 is provided with a lprojection 84 that is adapted to engage wit a notch 85 to hold the arts in the position shown in full lines in ig. 13, the spring-83 pressing a inst the member 79 so as to hold the pm 1nA eng ment with the notch. Normally the ho ding means is in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 13 and the member 79 is adapted to engage with the inclined guide 80 and as the end of the pin 79 travels upwardl along the guide 80, the parts -are move to the full line position against the tension of the spring 82, and the spring 83 will press the member .79 into enga ment with the pin 84 so that the same will engage with the notch 85 and hold the parts in the position shown'in full lines in Fig. 13. The means for releasing the holding pins comprise the stationary cam 86 which is adapted to vengage the end portion of the member 79 to move the same to the left as shown in Fig. 15. The movement of the member 79 to the left will disengage the pin 84 from the notch 85 and the spring 82 will hold the member @downwardly and move the member 66 to the dotted position shown in Fig. 13, the arts being shown in this position atthe rig t of Fig. 15. After the holding means has been opened so as to release the casing which takes place when the carriers are directl above the hanging mechanlsm, the twist casing forming the llnked sausages is Adeposited on the belt lconveyor' 87 which passes over the pulleys 88 and 89, the pulley 89 being journaled in the housing 90 whlch is mounted on the upright 91, which is mounted to oscillate about a vertical axis coincident with that of a shaft 166.

The conveyor 87 and the housing 90 car-` through which the shaft 159 projects. The

shaft 159 is provided with a bevel gear 1.60 which meshes with a bevel gear 161 mounted on the shaft 92, which shaft has keyed thereto the gear 93. The gear 93 is driven from the shaft 77 through the gears 162 and 163.

which has keyed v 'sticks 95, the linked sausages w The shaft 92 is vmounted in bea" in the arms 164 and 165, said arms mounted to turn on the vertically extending 'shaft 166. It will be noted that as the shaft 150 rotates the crank. 151 operating in theI slot 153 `will cause the lever 154 to swing back and forth thus causing an oscillation of the shaft'155 and a swinging of the lower end of the arm 157 Ain a direction opposite to that of the swinging of the arm 154. This will cause the end of the shaft 159 that passes through the arm or lever 157 to be swung inl an arcuate path about anaxis that is coincident with the axis of the shaft. 166 and swing the extreme end of the housing and the end 89 .of the conveyor 87 in an arcuate path so as to cause the same move back and forth across the convedr 96. and thus distribute the sausages o the smo sticks in such a manner as to loop them ack and'forth on the same'.A The linked sau extend substantial distances on each side .o f the slausage carryin stick- 95, the linked sausa as shown in ig. 10 extending to each side of the sticks 95 so as to reach substantially across the conveyors orguides 96 and 97 on each side of the sticks.

It will be seen on referring to Fig. 1 that the belt 96 is twisted so as to pass over a horizontal pulley 98 at the end 'thereof where the sausages are deposited thereon, and the vertically extending pulley or roller 99 at the opposite end thereof. As the linked sausages 100 rest thereon and on the sticks 95 and travel toward the right in Fig. 10 or toward the left in Fig, 1, due to the action of the conveyor sup rting the gradually move from a horizontal position to a han ing position on the sticks 95 and each stic will support the sausages in adjacent rows `besideeach other along the length of thev stick and with strands thereof looped thereon on each side of said stick, it bein understoodthat the conveyor or guide 9 is constructed in the same way as the guide 96 except that it turns in the o posite direc'- tion. 'llhe sticks 95 are fed m the container 101 onto` the belt 102, referring now to Fig. 1, and this belt 102 carries the sticks 95 with the sausages supported thereon toward the left an onto the belt conveyor 103 which is located to theleft of the conveyor 102. From the conveyor 103 the sticks 95 are removed and the sausages are stored on the saine either in the smoke house or any other desirable place.

The feeding mechanism for the smoking sticks 95 comprises the star wheels 104 having four points 105 and being circularly grooved at 106 between the points 105 toconorm to the outer contour of the smokln sticks 95, which star wheels are vmounte on the shafts 107 and 108 and are adapted :Maeva te am therewith. Keyed on the am: 167 is.

the gear 109, and keyed on-the shaft 108 is the gear 110 meshn.gl with the r 109. The shaft 108 also as moun thereon adapted to turn relative thereto an arm 111 is provided vwith a beveled laterally project.

i portion 118, which is adapted'to engage vlv'li'h laterally pro" lu 119 on the conveyorchain`w 'ch trave from the left to the r' ht on the upper side thereof in Fig. 17, an which is traveling from leftto lright in Fig. 20, and when onev of the projections 119 engage with the enlargement -118 the red or arm 116 pivots about the pivot 117 and the left hand extremity thereofV moves to the left in Fig. .19 so that the tooth 114 engages with the teeth on the gear 110 to turn the gears 109 and 110 in opposite directions and thereby turn the starwheels 104 in o posits directions.' The star wheels turn in t e direction of the arrows in Fig. 18 to release one of the smoking sticks 95 and force the same downwardly onto the conveyor 120, bymeans of which'the smoking stiekis delivered into position to receive the saus, esthereon.

In i 5 .thechain conveyor is shown as coonperatmg with a conveyor comprising the ro ers 121 arranged in pairs between which the sticks 95 are adapted to travel and the conve or 120 lis shown as being provided with oles 122 for the sticks arranged at spaced points along the same.

In Fig. 9 the projections 119 are shown as being on the belt conveyor 102,

'immaterial lwhat kind of a conveyor is use with the stick feeding mechanism shown. In order to prevent the weight of the sticks in the container 101 from turning the star wheels 106 to discharge a stick therefrom a brake l123 operatedby a weight 124 is provided on the pulley 125 on the end. of the shaft 107. Suitable guides are provided at treksgiggs a: the:i stik hodcr 101dforIthe slc ,t Aguies ingesi ate ini. 17 by the numeral 145. gn l g As shown in Figs. 5 and 8 the conveyor chain .is provided with guide members 142 pperating between the fixed guides 140 and Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A sausage linking and hanging machineit bein nuance whereby a casing is .de osited in the link-y mecha 1. in a slac condition.

2. A sausage li and hanging mace comprising in combination, a linking mechanism and a feeding mechanism adapted to separate the meat in a casi into sections and lfeed a casing to the linking mechas..." each of said mechanisms comprising a plurality ol corresponding sections, the sections of the feeding mechanism being longer than the sections of the linkin mechanism whereby a casing is deposite in the linking echanism in a slack condition.

3. A sausage linking mechanism compris` ing a sectional feeding mechanism and a twisting mechanism comprising a sectional carrier, the sections of said feeding mechanism being longer than those of the carrier.

lid

d. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a' twistin mechanism and a haniiig mechanism, sai nism ing adapted to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism and said hanging mechanism .comprising an endless conveyor mounted. to swing about a pivot at one end thereof.

5. In a sausage linking machine, an endless travelin support and means cooperating therewit to gradually separate the meat in a casing fed over said support into spaced sections ofeqiial len ths, said means comprising pairs of mem rs adapted to gradually approach each other to compress the casing between them at spaced points.

6. In a sausage linking machine, an'endless traveling support and means 'cooperating therewith to gradually separate the meat in a casing fed over said supportinto spaced sections of equallenghs, said means comprising pairs of mem rs adapted to gradually approach each other to compress the casing between them at spaced points and guide means engaging said members to move said members toward each other.

7. ln a sausage linking machine, an endz less traveling support comprising a plurality of linked sections, and means for separating the meat in a casing fed over said support into spaced sections of equal lengths, said means com rising pairs of members adapted to approac each other to engage said casing at spaced points.

8. In a sausage linking machine, an end less travelin Support comprising a plurality of li ed sections, and means for separating the meat in a casing fed over said support into spaced sections of equall lengths, said means comprising pairs of members adapted to approach each other to compress said casing between .them at spaced points with a gradually increasing twisting mecha- 9. In a sausage linking machine, an endless traveling sup rt comprising a. plurality of linked sections, and 'means for separating the meat in a casing fed over said support intospacedsections ofequal len ha, sai means comprising pairs of. yielble lingers ada ted vto approach each other toeng sai casing at spaced points.V

10. In a. sausage linking machine, an endless trave -support comprising a plural ity of linked? sections, means for separatingl the meat in a casing fed over said support Into spaced sections of equal lengths, said means comrisingpairs of members adapted 'to approac each` other to engage said casingat spaced points, and guide means engagin tower each other. f

l1. n a sausage link'ng machine, an endless travelin support comprising a plurality of linke sections, means for sepa-rating said members to move said members l the meat in a casing fed over said support into spaced sections of equal lens, said means comrising pairs of members adapted to approac each other to engage said casing at spaced points, and a pair of guiderails engaging said members, said uide rails gradually approachin each ot er.

. 12. lin a sausage li l.. machine, anendless traveling support, and means for'separating the meat in a casing fed over said support into spaced sections of equal lengths, said means comprising spaced pairs of members adapted to compress a` casing between them at spaced points with a graduall increasing pressure, and a air of gui es engaging said members, sai guides gradually ap roaching each other to move said pairs o members gradually toward each other.

13. A sausage linking machine comprising a twisting mechanism, a feeding mechanism associated therewith and meanstoim- .part a plurality of twisting movements to said twisting mechanism, said means comprising an internal spur gear engaging said twisting mechanism.

14. A sausage linking machine comprising a series of carriages, said series comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriages, and means to impart a plurality of twisting movements to said twisting carriages, said means comprising aninternal spur gear engaging said twisting mechamsm.

15. A sausage linking machine comprising a. series of carriages to form an endless conveyor, saidl series comprising alternatin supporting and twisting carriages and meansv to impart a `plurality oftwistin movements to said twisting carriages, sai means comprising an internal spur gear engaging said twisting mechanism.

1 6. A sausage linking machine comprising a series of alternate dissimilar carriages conveyor for the sausages, certain of the alter- ,nate carriages having a rotatable twisting element adapted to twist a section ofa sau- 'sage supported thereb and means for rotating said twisting e ement comprising an internal spur gear.-

17.A A sausage linking machine comprising a series of .alternate dissimilar carriages connected end to end to form an endless connate carriages having a rotatable twisting element adapted to twist a section of a sau- .ta ing said twisting e ement comprising an internal spur can said twisting elements being provid with means adapted'to be engaged by said gear to rotate said elements.

18. A sausage linking machine comprising a twisting carriage having mounted .therein a twisting elementprovided with` means to receive a sausa e, and means for turning said twistin element .on said car-l ri said twisting e ement being provided wit meanstoloosel hold said sausage from falling out of said e ement. u l 19. A sausage linking machine comprising a twisting carriage having mounted therein a twisting element provided with a U-shaped opening to receive a sausage, and means for turning said twisting elementen said carriage, said twisting element .being provided with a closure for said opening to prevent said sansa e from falling out of said element as sai element is turned.

20. A sausage linking machine comprising a twisting carriage having mounted therein a twisting element provided witha U-shaped opening to receive a sausage, and means for turning said twisting elementen said carri e, said twisting element being rovided witha closure for said o ning to loosely hold 'and to revent' sai sausage fromfalling out of said element as said element is turned. 21. A sausage linking machine comprising a twistin carriage having mounted l therein a twisting element provided with a U-shaped opening to receive a sausage, and means for turning said twistin e1ement on said carriage, said twisting e ement being provided with a pivoted finger adapted to close the mouth `of said opening, to loosely hold said sausage in said twisting element.

22. A sausage linking machine comprising a twisting carriage having mounted therein a twisting element provided with a U-shaped openingto receive a sausage, and means for turning said twistin element on said carriage, said twisting e ement being provided with a pivoted finger adapted to close the mouth of said opening, to loosely hold said sausage in said twisting element and means for movin said finger to closing position before said e ement is turned.

ge supported thereb and means for rofor rotating ybelow the center of rotation thereof, and

means for rotating said holders to twist said sausages.

25. A sausage linking machine comprismg .a series of carriages, said series comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriages having rotatable sausage holders, means to support sausages in said holders below the center of rotation thereof, and means said holders to twist said sausages, said means comprising an internal spur gear.

26. A sausage linking and hanging mechine comprisin a series of carriages supported on side c ains and to ether forinin an endless conveyor for sai sausages, an sprockets over which chains ass, said sausages being supported in saidJ carriages below said side chains in slack condition whereby said sausages will remain slack `when said carriages pass around said sprockets.

27. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising means for delivering a filled casing to said machine, means for separating the meat in said casing into sections, means for twisting said sections to link said sausages and means for hangin said sausages across a stick or rod, sai sausages being carried through said machine in a slack condition.

28. In a machine of the character described, means fr separating the meat in a filled sausage casing into sections comprising pairs of iiexible members that are adapted to gradually approach each other to separate the meat in said casing.

29. In a, machine of the character described, means for separating the meat in a filled sausage casing into sections comprising pairs of flexible members that are adapted to gradually approach each other to separate the meat in said casing, said members being adapted to firmly grip said casing to deliver the same to a linking mechanism.

30. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprisin a twisting mechanism and a hanging mec anism adaptedA to receive linked sausages from said twisting mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an lll intresses adapted to he spread on said sticks from end to end thereof.

3l. ln 'a sausage linking mechanism, an endless sectional carrier adapted to receive a :illed casing thereon, and means for separating the meat in said casing, said means comprising an endless sectional linked member located above said carrier having sections provided with ngers adapted to engage said casing to separate the meat therein, said .fingers being adapted to grip said casing to support the same when said casing reaches the end of said carrier.

32. A sausage linking mechanism comprising an endless sectional carrier adaptedy to receive' a hlled casing thereon, means for separating lthe meat in said casing, and sausage twisting means, said meat separating means comprising paired lingers adapted to grip said casing while on said carrier to separate the meat therein and convey said casing to said twisting means.

33. A sausage linking mechanism comprisine' an endless linked carrier adapted to receive a lilled casing thereon, a twisting mechanism comprising an endless linked conveyor, and an endless linked member positioned above said carriers provided with pairs of lingers adapted to engage said casing to separate the meat therein into sections and car said casing from said carrier to said twistin mechanism.

3d. A sausage lin 'ng mechanism comprisinn an endless linked carrier adapted to receive a hlled msing thereon, a. twistin mechanism comprising an endless linke conveyor, and an endless linked member positioned above said carriers provided with pairs of ingersfadapted to engage ,said casing to separate the meat therein into sections and carry said casing from said cai'- rier to said twisti mechanism, said carrier and said linke member traveling at the same speed. f

35. A sausage linking mechanism comprising an endless linked member having similar sections eacldprovided with a pair of gripping fingers apted to separate the meat in alsausage casing into sections and support the same, and a twisting mechanismoomprising an endless linked sectional carrier, each of the sections of which is adapted to receive a section of said casing thereon from said gri ping fingers, the length of said sections ing less than the distance between adjacent pairs of said iingers whereby said casing is delivered t said twistin mechanism in a slack condition.

- 36. sausa linking mechanism comprising an en less linked member having similar sections each provided with a pair of gripping fingers adapted to separate the mea-t in a sausage casing into sections and. support the same, ak twisting mechanism comprising an endless linked sectional carrier, and means for releasing said fingers whereby each of the sections of said carrier is adapted to receive a section of said casing thereon trom said gripping fingers, the length of s'aid sections being less than the distance between adjacent pairs of said fingers whereby said casing is delivered to said twisting mechanism in a slack condition.

37. lin a sausage linking machine, a twisting mechanism comprising an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers each having a rotatable twisting member provided with teeth on the exterior surface thereof and a rotating member through which said carriers are adapted to pass, said rotating member being provided with teeth on the interior thereof adapted to engage the teeth of said twisting member to rotate the same.

88. ln a sausage linking machine a twisting mechanism comprising an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers each having a rotatable twisting element having'means to support a sausage casing eccentrically therein.

39. ln a sausage linking machine a twisting mechanism comprising an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers each having a rotatable twisting element having means to support a sausage casing eccentrically therein, and means for loosely holding said casing in said twisting element. y

40. A. sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twisting mechanism having an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers havin means for loosely holding a casing therein, a hangin mechanism and means for releasing sai holding on sai hanging mechanism.

d1. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twisting mechanism having an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting "carriers, said twisting carriers having means for loosely holding a casing therein, a hangin mechanism and means for releasing sai holding means to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an endless conveyor mounted to swin about a ivnt at one end thereof vsubstantia ly in a ori- 'zontal plane.'

42. A sausage linking .and hanging machine comprising a twisting mechanism having an endless conveyor comprising altermeans to deposit the linked sausages lli@ gia

nating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers having means for loosely holding a casing thereln, a hanging mechanism and means for releasing said holding means to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an endless belt mounted to swing about la pivot at one end thereof substantially in a horizontal plane.'

43. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twisting mechanism having an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers having means for loosely holding a casing thereln, a hanging mechanism and means for releasing said holding means to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an endless conveyor mounted to swing about a pivot at one end thereof substantially in a horizontal plane and a stick carrying conveyor mounted below said swinging conveyor.

44. A Sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twisting mechanism having an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers yhaving means for loosely holding a casing therein, a hanging mechanism and means for releasing said holding means to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an endless conveyor mounted to swing about a ivot at 'one end thereof substantially in a orizontal plane and a stick carrying conveyor mounted below said swinging conve or whereby said sausages are adapted to be spread on said sticks from end to end thereof. y

45. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising al twisting mechanism having an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers havin means for loosely holding a casing there1n,a hangin mechanism and means for releasing sai holding means to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an endless conveyor mounted to swing about a pivot at one end thereof substantially in a horizontal lane, a stick carrying conveyor mounted elow said swinging'conveyor, and means for feeding sticks to said conveyor at regularly spaced intervals.

46. sausage linking and hanging machine com rising a twistlng mechanism having an en less conveyor comprising'alternating supporting and twisting carrlers, said' twisting carriers having means for loosely holding a casing therein, a hanging mecha- -nism 'and means for releasing said holdin means to deposit the linked sausages on sai hanging mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an endless conveyor mounted to incassa swing about a pivot at one end thereof substantially in a horizontal plane, a sausage receiving stick carrying conveyor mounted below said swinging conveyor whereby said sausages are adapted to be spread on 'said ing an endlessconveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers having means for loosely holding a casing therein, a hanging mechanlsm and means for releasing said holding means to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism, said hangin" mechanism comprising an endless conveyor mounted to swing about a pivot at one end thereof substantially in a horizontal plane, a sausage receiving stick carrying conveyor mounted below said swinging conveyor whereby said sausages are adapted to be spread on said sticks from end to end thereof, and traveling means for supporting said sausages at the sides of said sticks, said supporting means being inclined whereby said sausages gradually assume a hanging position on said sticks.

48. In a sausage linking and hanging machine a linking mechanism, a hanging mechanism adapted to receive the sausages from .said linking mechanism'l and means for feedlng sausage hanging sticks to said hanging mechanism comprising a stick container,l an endless conveyor for said sticks and "means for depositing said sticks on said conveyor one at a time.

49. In-a sausage linking and hanging machine a linking mechanism, a hanging mechanism adapted to receive the sausages from said linking mechanism and means for feeding sausage hanging sticks to said hanging.. mechanism comprising a stick container, an endless conveyor for said sticks and means for' depositing said sticks on said conveyor one at a time, said means comprising pairs of stick supporting rotatable members on the bottom of said stick container, and means for periodically actuating said members to release one of said sticks.

50. In a sausage linking and hanging machine a linking mechanism. a hanging meel. anism adapted to receive the sausages from said linking mechanism and means for feea- -ing sausage hanging sticks to saidhanging mechanism, comprising a stick container, an endless conveyor for said sticks and meam for depositing said sticks on said conveyor one at a time, said means comprising pairs of stick supporting rotatable members on the bottom of said stick container, and means for periodically .actuating said members to when a stickis in position on said conveyor beneath'saidcontainer.

51. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twistin mechanism ana a hanging mechanism, sai hanging mechai nism being adapted to receive a linked sausage casing from said twisting mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising a sausage receiving stick carrying conveyor, and means for su porting and guiding said sausages at eac 'side of said conveyor said means being gradually inclined from a horizontal to .a vertical position in the direction of travel of said conveyor.

52. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twistin mechani anu a hanging mechanism, sai hanging mechav.nism being adapted to receive a linked sausage casing from said twisting mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising a sausage receiving stick carrying conveyor, ana means for supporting and guiding said sausages at each side of said conveyor said means being gradually inclined vfrom a horizontal to a vertical position in the direction of travel of said conveyor, said means traveling in the direction of travel of said conveyor.

53. A sausage linking machine comprising a series of carriages connected end to end to form an endless conveyor for said sausages, said carriages being provided with means for preventing said sausages from untwisting.

54. A sausage linking machine comprising a series of alternate dissimilar carriages connected end to end to forni an endless conveyor for the sausages, certain of the' alternate carriages having a rotatable twisting element adapted to twist a section of a sausage supported thereby, and means on said carriages for preventing said sausages from untwisting.

55. In a sausage linking machine, a twisting mechanism comprising an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers each havin a rotatable twisting member provided with teeth on the exterior surface thereof and a rotating member through which .said carriers-are adapted to pass, said rotating member being provided with elongated ybarlike membersserving as teeth on :the interior thereof adapted to engage the teeth ,of said :twisting member to rotate the Slime.

456. A sausage linking and hanging magchine comprising a twisting 'mechanism' havoted on 'said twisting carrier, said ol g finger be'A pivoted on said carrier near one en thereud an actuating rod connected to saidfnger beyond the pivot thereof, a holding lug withwhich said rod is adapted to cooperate to hold said finger in sausage holdin' iowad d d fro l or isen gin sai ro m said to move sailioldng finger to sausage relasing position.

57. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twisting mechanism having an endless-conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers havin means for loosely holding a casing therein, said holding means comprising a holding [i er ivoted on said twisting carrier said ol finger being pivoted on sai carrier near onerend thereof, an actuating rod connected to said finger be ond the pivot thereof, said rod beingprovi ed with a notch having an tposition, and means urging said rod nger opening position, and means inclined wall, a holding lug adapted to enter said notch to hold said finger in sausage holding position, spring means for holding said rod in engagement with said lug and a spring urging said rod and finger. toward sausage rel asing position, and means for moving sai rod away from said lug whereupon said spring moves said Iingertosausage releasing position.

58. A sausage linking and hanging machine comprising a twisting mechanism having an endless conveyor comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriers, said twisting carriers having means for loosely holding a casing therein, a hanging mechanism and means for releasi said holding means to deposit the linked sausages on said hanging mechanism, said hanging mechanism comprising an endless conveyoi` mounted to swing about a pivot at one end thereof substantially in a horizontal plane, a sausage receiving stick carrying conveyor mounted below said swinging conveyor whereby said sausages are adapted to be spread on said sticks from end to end thereof, and :a belt moving in the direction of travel of the stick carrying conveyor for supporting said sausages at the sides of said sticks, said belt being inclined whereby said sausages gradually assume a hanging 4position on .said sticks.

59.' In a sausage linking and han g ma- `chine a linking mechanism, a anging mechanism adapted to receive the sansa from said linking mechanism and means or feeding sausage hanging sticks to said hanging mechanism, comprising a stick container an endless conveyor vfor said sticks and means for depositing said sticks on said con veyor one at a time, said means comprising pairs of stick supporting rotatable members on the bottom of said stick container, and

means for periodically actuating said members to release one of said sticks, said means comprising a ratchet wheel, a pawl adapted to en age said ratchet wheel, a lever .connecte with said pawl, and means onsaid stick conveyor adapted to periodically en gage said lever to actuate saidpawl thereby to rotate said stick supporting members and release a smoking stick.

60. A sausage linking machine comprising a series of alternate dissimilar carriages connected end to end to form an endless conveyor for the sausages, certain of the alternate carriages having a rotatable twisting element adapted to twist a section of a sausage supported thereby, and' end walls on said carriages having tapering openings i to hold said sausages from untwisting.

.61. A sausage lmking machine comprising a series of carriages to form an endless conveyor, said series comprising alternating supporting and twistingcarriages andmeans to impart a plurality of twistingmovements to said twisting carriages, said means comprising apair of ring members, andbars connecting said ring members and engaging said twisting mechanism.

62. A sausage linking machine comprising a series of carriages to orm an endless conveyor, said-series comprising alternating supporting and twisting carriages and means to impart a plurality of twisting movements to said twisting carriages, said means comprising a pair of ring members, bars connecting said ring members and engaging said twisting mechanism, a framework in which said ring members are adapted to rotate and rollers mounted on said frame work engaging said ring members.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd day of December A. D.,

' OTTO C. L. HIRSCH. 

